[CUWiN] Info and can I help?

[Todd Boyle]

Thanks for this gesture; I have done some handwaving at

Community 
networks 
<http://ledgerism.net/leftside.htm#CommunityNets>http://ledgerism.net/leftside.htm#CommunityNets 

   <http://ledgerism.net/requirementsCWNs.htm>CWN requirements
   <http://ledgerism.net/whyP2Pwireless.htm>P2P Revolution
   <http://ledgerism.net/BackFenceLAN.htm>Back Fence LANs
   <http://ledgerism.net/GestureDxNode.htm>Gesture DxNode.htm
   <http://ledgerism.net/BxNodeOffer.htm>Bx Node Offer
   <http://ledgerism.net/devices.htm>Devices and reputation
   <http://ledgerism.net/CarrierWrittenSpecs.htm>Carrier-Written specs
   <http://ledgerism.net/vanlords.htm>Reputation=civil disobed
   <http://ledgerism.net/kirkwireless.htm>Kirkland Wireless

The paradox is, this has to be a turnkey solution for non-techies,
yet, it has to be nonproprietary and available on multiple platforms,
and it has to support pluggable replacements for the links as we
go thru generations of wireless MUCH faster than the investment
can be amortized by its user.

It may be that the community is missing in action, not the network.
If you had a density of even 1 house per 100 meters understanding
the value and wanting to be a CWN node, oh what a different world
it would be.   So, lately, I have been working putting on videos and
bringing lecturers to the city and neighborhood approximately
twice a month, whew, lot of work.   And handing out lots of videos
and audio CDs to friends and strangers nearby..  Example, yesterday
saw a neighbor with a BushWhacked bumper sticker.  Walked up,
gave her my OutFoxed DVD.   People need to get the idea that
videos can come from your neighbors, not only the cable company
or the movie theater or blockbuster.    Hand to hand is a wireless
anticipation network.   When the CWN nodes are available, now,
I have a woman who I can say, "remember me? I gave you the
DVD.   Are you sick of being Out Foxed by media corporations?
Then let us put this 10 foot mast on your roof. "

You could do the same exact thing with the pro-war people.
"Are you tired of the liberal media? ... "    or retired people.
"Are you tired of paying $72.95 a month for your cable,
telephone, and internet bills?   Help is on the way... Let us
install this on your roof.   It takes a community. "

At this point in history CWNs require time and work, more time
and work than alternatives.  So, people need to have a
reason.  Peace and justice people, against corporate globalization,
people concerned with free speech and truthful information.
These are your primary, large market of people who really have
that fervent reason and desire and track record of volunteerism
and activism.  Your prime market is not tech geeks.   They are
smart but they are not "true believers" who are going to spend
days and months and years, building out the network.   The
Christians would be another dedicated large market but they
already have broadcast and cable channels galore.  The
peace and justice movement has *nothing* but a few segments
like http://www.democracynow.org/

Todd Boyle - Kirkland WA - 425-827-3107
home: http://refusenik.org AR/AP everywhere
http://www.ledgerism.net/ member of this and that
http://www.epjc.net * http://www.watir.org/ * http://vfp92.org/

At 09:01 AM 8/1/2004, Steve Izzo wrote:

>To the folks at CU CWN;
>
>I have been researching community wireless networks in depth for the past 
>month or so and have come to the awareness that CUWiN seems to be the only 
>open architecture, open source project in existence. It also seems 
>appropriate to me that the source of the Mosaic web browser should also be 
>the home of the next revolution in the Internet – the organic spread of 
>wireless broadband networking. I have read the recent posts by daCosta, 
>Meinrath and Thompson and believe that open source mesh is the only 
>appropriate technology to enable the spread of low-cost nodes and 
>community wireless network coverage. (I suppose the alternatives are 
>securing lots of grant funding and just giving away commercial technology 
>or finding some hack for the commercial wireless routers).
>
>I am writing first to see if I can get additional specs, assembly 
>instructions and a parts list for the current nodes used in CU network. (I 
>can figure most of it out from the CU site and Metrix, but it would be 
>easier to just work from a complete document). I assume this same platform 
>will be used for the upgraded OSI grant software. Although I live and work 
>in New Jersey, my interest is to explore the possibility of a CWN project 
>in rural upstate NY (near Syracuse, but well outside the city). I have 
>some personal connections to the area and it is clearly under-served by 
>the incumbent telecom monopoly. I do have some spare Pentium-class 
>machines, but as you note, the remotely upgradeable, outdoor nodes will be 
>far more successful.
>
>In addition, I would like to offer my time and background to volunteer for 
>this effort. My personal interest (inspired by a friend) and goal is to 
>help in spreading wireless broadband technology to developing nations.
>
>Let me introduce myself. I am currently a mid-level Executive with Lucent 
>Technologies in operations software. I don’t work in our wireless 
>division, so there is no conflict of interest. (Lucent doesn’t make any of 
>these products anyway). My undergraduate degree is in physics and math, 
>but my career has been spent mostly on the business and marketing side 
>(via an M.B.A). I also have extensive experience in international 
>business. I have read the OSI Grant application, but without knowing more 
>about your volunteer needs, I am not sure what I might contribute.
>
>I look forward to hearing from someone.
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve Izzo
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>Project Page: http://cuwireless.ucimc.org
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